In GOP response to Obama, SC governor defends immigrants

That background could make her an ideal vice-presidential candidate for a Republican Party that needs to diversify.

One of the up-and-coming stars of the Republican Party has been tapped to give the high-profile GOP response to President Obama’s State of the Union address Tuesday night. (It was rumored that she might be picked on the Romney ticket in 2012.) House Speaker Paul Ryan has touted Haley as “an inclusive leader who’s visionary, who’s got a path for the future, who’s brought people together, who’s unified”. A frustration with the same, endless conversations we hear over and over again.

The daughter of Indian immigrants delivered the Republican response to President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address.

HALEY: We have stared evil in the eye and watched good, prayerful people killed in one of the most sacred of places.

Haley was born Nimrata Randhawa to Indian immigrants in Bamberg, S.C. Haley and her sister once entered a “Little Miss Bamberg” pageant, in which it was tradition to crown a white and a black queen, The Times reported.

Haley said the pro-life issue “isn’t partisan” and she added that it should not be a political issue.

Haley, once vociferous that she wouldn’t raise gas taxes to pay for crumbling roads, may be mellowing on that a bit, especially after October floods broke dams and ruined roads across the Midlands, Pee Dee and Lowcountry. She ran unopposed in the general election.

Can you tell the difference?

“There was a lot of attention in the moment”, she continued, “And I think the speech is an important opportunity for us as Republicans”. Her strict small government politics made her tea party champion, and she’s styled herself as a jobs creator.

“She is the most extreme anti-union Governor that I have ever seen in my 21 years”, says Ken Riley, president of one of South Carolina’s largest unions, the International Longshore Association Local 1422.

This past summer, SC was dealt a tragic blow. “Everywhere we’ve seen smoke, so far there has been no fire”. She was first elected governor in 2010 and reelected in 2014. The lack of support among minority voters, coupled with the country’s increasing diversity, continues to trouble the party’s political establishment.

“This is not a record that should be heralded or modeled”, said Jaime Harrison, chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party.

And just days after receiving the Palin endorsement, Haley – who has been married since 1996 and has two children – faced allegations that she had extramarital affairs.

“We need to be honest with each other, and with ourselves: while Democrats in Washington bear much responsibility for the problems facing America today, they do not bear it alone”, she said. “It’s not going to be anytime soon”. “She stepped up, and it didn’t take her weeks or months, even though she could have punted”.

Her selection to deliver Tuesday’s speech increases scrutiny of her record.

“Growing up in the South our family didn’t look like our neighbors and we didn’t have much”, Haley said setting the scene.

At this point, voters outside the Palmetto State know a few key facts about Haley.

‘We didn’t turn against each other’s race or religion, ‘ she said.

Haley has risen in national prominence for helping to end the display of the Confederate battle flag on Statehouse grounds after half a century. The governor avoided a fight over the Confederate flag until, in the wake of the Charleston shooting, that was no longer politically tenable.

Legislation was passed and the flag was removed July 10, 2015.